Edward Him Sr.

Edward Calls Him Sr., member of the Ponca Tribe with the Indian name of Gee-Bom-bi, made his final journey Saturday, March 28, 2009 at 10 a.m. surrounded by his family and friends. He was 56. Edward, also known as Fast Eddie, was born March 29, 1952 in Pawnee, Oklahoma, the son of the Rev. George Calls Him Sr. and Imogene Primeaux Calls Him. He attended the Chilocco Indian School and graduated from the Denver Welding School. Edward was a proud member of the Ponca Nation and was from the house of the Nikapashna Clan and a direct descendant of Yellow Berry, Primeaux and Fire Shaker. He was also a member of the Methodist Church. His enjoyments included Indian dancing, cultural events, playing his cedar flutes and being with family and friends. Edward had a long, fabled career. As a child, he traveled among the nations, playing piano at services for his father, a Methodist minister. Along the way he lived with many tribes, learning their traditions and cultures. He also found the time to develop his skills as a Fancy Dancer, attaining the title of World Champion at the age of twenty-one. His dancing has taken him throughout the United States and Canada, including a Presidential performance at the Kennedy Performing Arts Center in Washington, D.C. Edward had also recorded a CD of his flute music in New York with the CD being nominated for a Grammy. He also lectured on the Native American culture and had practiced the craft of silversmithing. He is survived by Mama Zhinga, Florence Calls Him Cole; three sons, Edward Calls Him Jr., Ponca City, Keaton Ke-Ke Calls Him, of Tonkawa, and Caleb Calls Him of New Jersey; two daughters, Christie Marie Calls Him of Wyoming, and Teya Calls Him of Tonkawa; five brothers, George Calls Him III, Vancouver, Canada, Melvin Calls Him Sr., Washington State, Elden Calls Him Sr., Washington State, Elwood Sonny Calls Him Sr., Tonkawa, and Mark Calls Him Sr., Tulsa, Oklahoma; seven sisters, Kyia Primeaux, Oklahoma City, Delores Calls Him of Iowa, Kay Christie Calls Him, Memphis, Tennessee, Georgina Calls Him Littlecook, Ponca City, Christine Calls Him Eagle, Ponca City, Jolene Calls Him of Washington State, and Augie Calls Him Paschal, also of Washington State; 14 grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Baby Boy Calls Him; one daughter, Regina Rose Calls Him; one sister, Baby Girl Calls Him; one niece, Rosetta D. Arkeketta; and one grandson, Domique W. Paschal. Prayer services will be held at 7 p.m. both Monday and Tuesday evening at the Ponca Indian Methodist Church. The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 1, 2009 at the Ponca Indian Methodist Church with Bro. Jimmy White presiding, assisted by Doug Eagle. Interment will be in the Ponca Tribal Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel. Casket bearers will be June Bug Paschal, Elden Calls Him Jr., T.J. Calls Him, Ke-Ke Calls Him, Sonny Calls Him Jr. and David Eagle Sr. Honorary casket bearers are George Calls Him III, Melvin Calls Him Sr., Elden Calls Him Sr., Elwood Sonny Calls Him Sr., Mark Calls Him Sr., Edward Calls Him Jr., Caleb Calls Him, Robert Allen, Don Chavers, Solon C.F. Ribs, T.C. Cole and Darrell Rhodd.